Now that you know tangerines can keep your tresses from going gray and that almonds are the ideal hair-boosting snack, what about foods that you should stay away from in the quest for gorgeous locks? We tapped nutritionist Frida Harju-Westman for some of the worst offenders.
Mackerel: While it’s true that fish is loaded with healthy, anti-inflammatory fats, you want to be careful about having too much mercury in your diet, which can actually cause hair to fall out, says Harju-Westman. In general, the bigger the fish, the more mercury it contains (like shark, king mackerel and swordfish). It’s totally fine to eat mackerel in small portions, but avoid overeating it if hair loss is something you’re worried about.
Sugar: No surprises here, right? Sugar slows down your body’s absorption of protein, which—you guessed it—is essential for healthy hair.
Alcohol: Sorry, but too many glasses of pinot can reduce the levels of zinc in your body, which keeps hair follicles strong. “Additionally, while dehydrating your body, it also follows that alcohol dehydrates the hair, making it more prone to breakage,” says Harju-Westman. Looks like we’re skipping happy hour tonight.
